Cowl construction



' y 6, 1930- v c. SCHLESINGER 1,757,783

COWL CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 11, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVE NTOR Cdr/Schlesinger HIS A TTORNE Y aw A;

y 1930. c. SCHLESINGER 1,757,783

.COWL CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 11, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 27 JNVEIYTOR Car/' Sch/emu er;

HIS ATTORNEY Patented May 6, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENJT OFFICE CARLSCHLESINGER, 0F ARLINGTON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO POLIIAK MANUFAC- vTUBING COMPANY, OF ARLINGTON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEYCOWL CONSTRUCTION The invention relates to improvements in cowlconstruction for aeroplanes and particularly to that type of aeroplanein which a radial-type, air-cooled, internal combustion engine is used.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a cowl construction ofextreme simplicity, great efficiency and one that readily lends itselfto economy of manufacture.

Numerous other objects and advantages will become apparent as thisspecification proceeds. Referring to the drawings forming a part thereofand in which one embodiment of the invention is illustrated:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, a typical radial-type,air-cooled, internal combustion engine being illustrated diagrammatically;

Fig. 2 is an elevational fragmentary detail view showing the method offastening the segments of the outer annular casing to-- gether;

Fig. 3 is a detail cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; andI Fig. 4 is a front elevation.

Referring again to the drawings the reference numeral 5 designates thecrank case of a radial-type, air-cooled, internal combustion engine and6 the cylinders thereof. The englne may be supported in any conventionalor well known manner and as such supporting means forms no part of thisinvention it isnot thought necessary to illustrate same.

- In its broad aspect the improved cowl construction comprises twomembers, one a generally cone-shaped casing 7 and the other an annularouter casing 8. The general contour of the cone-shaped casing may bechanged to conform to the various types of radial, aircooled, internalcombustion engines.

This cone=shaped casing preferably is in close proximity to the crankcase of the engine although sufiicient space is left between the crankcase and the casing for a free passage of air, controlled as hereinafterdescribed. The rear part of the casing 7 as indicated at 9 in Fig. 1 mayflare outwardly and thus replace the usual fire wall partition. However,in some constructions it may be de- Application filed December 11, 1929.Serial No. 413,218.

sirable to have the casing 7 extend rearwardly to the fire wallpartition. As illustrated in the drawings the casing 7 is a one-piececonstruction. If desired, for purposes of assembly and economy ofmanufacture the front and rear parts may be made separable or asegmental construction might be employed.

. The casing 7 is apertured for the cylinders of the engine so as toallow the cylinders to be exposed.

The outer annular casin 8 is provided with openings 10 which are a t orrearward of the engine cylinders. This outer annular casing 8 may beformed as an extension from the main body of the aeroplane in whichevent the openings 10 as illustrated would be provided or the casing 10might be a separable member suitably spaced from the body of theaeroplane.

The cone-shaped casing 7 and the outer annular casing 8 are spaced apartso as to form an annular passage 11 through which air may be directed tocool the exposed cylinders of the engine, the air'having egress throughthe openings 10. The passage is preferably of stream line formation andgreatly adds, to the efiiciency of the plane. The inner casing enclosesa number of irregular parts of the engine which ordinarily cause eddycurrents and increased head resistance. The only exposed parts of theengine within the airstream are the cylinders which is a decidedadvantage due to the fact that the bulk of the heat of the engine isgenerated in the cylinders and they receive the maximum amount ofcooling. The contour of the cylinders is fairly regular and thereforedoes not greatly increase the head resistance. It has been proven inpractice that as much as seventeen miles an hour has been added to thespeed of a plane equipped with the improved cowl construction.

Additional means are provided for directing air over-portions of theengine cylinders requiring special cooling. This means comprisesopenings or louvers 12 in the forward openings permit of additional airbeing directed toward the exhaust valves of the cylinders or for thatmatter toward any part of the engine cylinders in which excessive heatmay be generated.

The invention also contemplates means whereby air may be directed on thecrank -case of the engine for cooling the oil. This means comprises aseries of openings 13 in the forward part of the cone-shaped caslng '7.The openings 13 are provided with an ad tween the inner and outercasing. These vanes act as partitions and break up the swirl caused bythe propeller and thus causes the air stream to be evenly distributed.

Another important aspect of the invention is the segmental constructionof the outer annular casing. As illustrated this casing is composed of aplurality of segments which are secured to each other at 16. The methodof securing the segments together may be widely varied, the essentialfeature being that any one of the individual segments may be readilyremoved. The method illustrated, by way of example, for securing thesegments together comprises forming the adjoining edges of each of thesegments with interfitting ears 17 through which a flexible rod or wire18 may be passed and suitably held in position.

This segmental construction has a number of advantages, one of theprincipal advantages being that any segment may be readily and quicklyremoved for access to the engine. With the casing all in one piece if itis desired to make a minor adjustment on some part of the engine thepropeller must be removed and the entire casing taken off which entailsa large amount of work. It is also very advantageous from a standpointof economy of manufacture. The cost for making tools for a completecasing of this character would be almost prohibitive as a different setof highly expensive punches and dies would have to be made for variousradial-type engines and different constructions of fuselage. Inmanufacturing the casing in one piece by spinning it or by hand, thecost of the individual casing then becomes almost prohibitive. With thesegmental construction simple and inexpensive tools may be employed inproducing'it.

A further object of the invention is to incorporate the exhaust manifoldor collector ring in the outer annular casing. As illustrated theforward edge of the casing 8 is curved inwardly and rearwardly so as toform the exhaust manifold 19. The exhaust manifold is thus positioned soas to receive the maximum amount of cooling and being close to theengine cylinders and exhaust ports a minimum amount of resistance isencountered by the spent gases. Suitable connections 20 lead from theexhaust ports to the manifold and a trailing conduit 21 permits of thegases escaping to atmosphere.

From the foregoing it is thought to be apparent that an improved cowlconstruction is provided for aeroplanes having radialtype, air cooledinternal combustion engines and a construction that has numerousadvantages over present known types. Applicant wishes to stress thepoint that the problem which confronted him was to provide a cowlconstruction particularly designed for the present type of radial,air-cooled internal combustion engines and does not wish the inventionconfused with constructions that might have been used for rotary typeengines.

Numerous changes may be made in details of construction and arrangementsof parts by one skilled in the art and all such changes are to beconstrued as coming within the spirit of the invention and the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. A cowl construction for aeroplanes provided with radial-type,air-cooled, internal combustion engines, said cowl construction havingin combination I a generally coneshaped casing in proximity to the crankcase of said engine and being apertured for the cylinders of saidengine, an outer annular casing having openings aft of the enginecylinders, said cone-shaped casing and said outer annular casing beingspaced apart so as to form an annular passage of stream-like formationthrough which air may be directed to cool the exposed cylinders of saidengine, and other openings in the forward or leading edge of saidannular outer casing, said openings being especially adapted fordirecting air over the portions of the engine'cylinders requiringspecial cooling.

2. A cowl construction for aeroplanes provided with radial-type,air-cooled, internal combustion engines, said cowl construction havingin combination a generally coneshaped casing in proximity to the crankcase of said engine and being apertured for the cylinders of saidengine, an" outer annular casing having openings aft of the enginecylinders, said cone-shaped casing and said outer annular casing beingspaced apart so as to form an annular passage through which air may bedirected to cool the exposed cylinders of said engine, and a series ofvanes for supporting said outer annular casing and providing a means forevenly distributing the flow of air through said annular passage formedby said cone-shaped casing-and said outer annular casing.

3. A cowl construction for aeroplanes provided with radial-type,air-cooled, internal combustion engines, said cowl construction .havingin combination a generally coneshaped casing in close proximity to thecrank case of said engine, an outer annular casing having openings aftof the engine cylinders, said cone-shaped casing and said outer an-Ilular casing being spaced apart so as to form an annular passagethrough which air may be directed to cool the exposed cylinders of saidengine, and an exhaust manifold formed in said outer casing.

4. A cowl construction for aeroplanes provided with radial-type,air-cooled, internal combustion engines, said cowl construction havingin combination a generally cone-shaped casing in close proximity to thecrank case of said engine, an outer annular casing having openings aftofthe engine cylinders,said coneshaped casing and said outer annular,casing being spaced apart so as to form an annular passage through whichair may be directed to cool the exposed cylinders of said engine, anexhaust manifold formed in the forward part of said outer casing, andconnections between said exhaust manifold and the exhaust ports of saidcylinders.

5. A cowl construction for aeroplanes provided with air-cooled, internalcombustion radial type engines, said cowl construction having incombination, a generally coneshaped casing in close proximity to thecrank case of said engine and being apertured for the cylinders of saidengine, an annular outer casing having openings aft of the enginecylinders, said cone-shaped casing and said outer annular casing beingspaced apart so as to form an annular passage of stream-like formationthrough which air may directed to cool the exposed cylinders of saidengine, other openings in the forward end of said annular outer casing,said openings being especially adapted for directing air over theportions of the engine cylinders requiring special annular casing beingspaced apart so asto form an annu ar passage of stream-like formationthrough which air may be directed to cool the, exposed cylinders of saidengine, and said outer annular casing being formed of a plurality ofsegments any one of which may be individually removed for access to theengine, other openings in the forward end of said annular outer casing,said openings being especially adapted for directing air over theportions of the engine cylinders requiring special cooling, a series ofopenings in the forward part of said cone-shaped casing through whichair may be directed to cool the crank case of said engine, an adjustableshutter for said openings for controlling the amount of air admittedthrough said openings, a series of vanes for supporting said outerannular casing and providing a means for evenly distributing the flow ofair through said annular passage formed by said coneshaped member andsaid outer annular casing and an exhaust manifold formed in said outercasing.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CARL SCHLESINGER.

cooling, a series of openings in the forward part of said cone-shapedcasing through which air may be directed to cool the crank case of saidengine, and an adjustable shutter for said openings for controlling theamount of air admitted through said openings.

- 6. A cowl construction for aeroplanes provided with air-cooled,internal combustion radial-type engines, said cowl construction havingin combination, a generally coneshaped casing in close proximity to thecrank case of said engine and being apertured for the cylinders of saidengine, an annular outer casing having openings aft of the enginecylinders, said cone-shaped casing and said outer

